Never Date a Genius

Chapter 42: The Game

Mason woke up before dawn, the pale morning light slipping through the blinds and casting soft shadows across his room. But the gentle glow did nothing to ease the storm churning in his chest. Today was the final game, the moment he'd been waiting for all season. Yet, instead of excitement, he felt a heavy blanket of dread smothering the usual fire that fueled his passion for the game.

He stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling wildly like leaves caught in a tempest. Will she be there? The question echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that wouldn't let him go.

Every game before this, Sophie had been his quiet strength, his anchor amidst the chaos. He could vividly recall how she always had a dedicated seat in the bleachers, the same spot where she watched him play with unwavering support. That spot was his beacon, the one place he could look to for comfort and courage. Knowing she was there gave him purpose, a steadying force that pushed him to run faster and dig deeper. Her presence was everything, a reminder that he wasn't just playing for himself.

But today, uncertainty gnawed at him. Would she show up? He couldn't shake the fear that maybe things had changed.

Mason's fingers trembled as he grabbed his phone, desperation clawing at him. He saw Sophie’s reply on his last message asking him to give her more time.

But he was desperate specially now that he needed her. "I can't play if she isn't there," he whispered to himself.

He typed a message, his heart racing, only to erase it moments later. The words felt inadequate, too raw, too vulnerable.

"Please come. I need you." Too needy.

"Can you come to the game?" Too casual.

"I don't know how to do this without you." Maybe desperate, but it was the truth.

Finally, he settled on a simple text and sent it with a shaky breath:

"G, it's the finals today. I need you here. Please."

His heart pounded as he waited, each passing second stretching into an eternity. The silence felt deafening, and panic clawed at his chest.

What if she doesn't come? What if I lost her for good?

No reply.

He paced the room, restless and raw, each footstep echoing his mounting anxiety. Memories of their shared laughter, late-night talks, and quiet moments flooded his mind, intensifying the ache in his heart. He needed her, not just for the game, but for the hope she instilled in him, the belief that he could overcome anything.

Then, just when he thought he might burst from the tension, his phone buzzed in his hand.

"I'm coming, Mace. Always."

Mason's breath hitched, relief flooding through him like a wave. It was exactly what he needed, the spark to reignite the fire within him. A smile broke through the stormy clouds in his heart, a warmth spreading through his chest as he read her words again.

Clutching the phone tightly, Mason closed his eyes and whispered, "Thank you, G." It was a simple phrase, but it carried a weight of gratitude and longing that he could hardly express.

Today, no matter what happened on the court, he would play like his heart depended on it because it truly did. With Sophie there, he felt invincible, as if the very essence of his spirit was intertwined with hers. He could already picture her in the stands, cheering him on, her smile lighting up the entire arena. That image alone was enough to fuel him, to remind him of everything worth fighting for.

In that moment, Mason was filled with clarity and love, ready to embrace the challenge ahead. He wasn't just playing for victory; he was playing for the chance to build a future with Sophie, to show her that together they could overcome anything. Today was their day, and he was determined to make it unforgettable, not just for himself but for the two of them.

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